ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County Health Department said they were informed on Sunday of a Wegmans coffee shop employee testing positive for COVID-19.

The individual has worked multiple shifts at Wegmans during the past two weeks, according to an advisory from TCHD on Sunday afternoon.

“Communications like this are meant to reduce further exposure by encouraging individuals who may have come in contact with the infected individual to act in the community’s best interest, get tested, and self-quarantine even if they are not exhibiting symptoms,” said Public Health Director Frank Kruppa in a statement. “We are working closely with Wegmans management to ensure the safety of all employees and patrons. Grocery stores are essential businesses, and it is important that they are able to continue to serve our community.”

The coffee shop is currently closed and has been disinfected by Wegmans staff. Management is also in the process of enacting additional mitigation measures for employees like distributing masks, conducting temperature checks, and screening for other symptoms prior to each shift.

If you have come within 6 feet of any employee of the Wegmans coffee shop between Monday, March 23 and Saturday, April 4, the health department asks you to do the following:

  • It is recommended that you get tested at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd., between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pre-register online cayugahealth.org or call the Cayuga Health Registration Line at (607) 319-5708.
  • Self-quarantine in your home for 14 days from the last date you shopped at the Wegmans coffee shop. Refer here for more information about how to self-quarantine.
  • If you seek testing and the result is negative, continue to self-quarantine and monitor yourself for the full 14 days from the last time you shopped at the Wegmans coffee shop. If you become symptomatic, seek testing again.
  • Monitor your health for any symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath

TCHD has released limited information on individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, saying announcements would only be made in the event a conventional contact investigation cannot be conducted.

Previously, TCHD released additional information after an employee of a Collegetown restaurant tested positive after working a number of shifts, during which it would be difficult to judge the number of people who had come in contact with the individual.